Abuja – Dr Yunusa Tanko, the National Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has urged the electorate in Ekiti to remain calm and come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice on Saturday.

The people of Ekiti would on Saturday, June 21, go to the polls in the state’s governorship election.

The IPAC boss said the call followed the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Abubakar’s order for

immediate deployment of hi-tech security equipment, including surveillance helicopters and armoured personnel carriers for the election in the state.

Tanko, who made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, said the presence of security personnel was to ensure safety of lives and property.

He said “once security agents are there to ensure peace, we are hopeful that voters will see it as a measure to ensure that they are safe.”

He urged traditional rulers in Ekiti State to enlighten eligible voters to go about their normal businesses.

He also urged them to ensure that there was peace across the state before, during and after the election.

Tanko, who noted that though the large presence of security agents could lead to voter apathy, said IPAC would make sure that its members played their role by ensuring free and fair election.

The IPAC boss also urged chairmen of political parties in the state to advice their members to shun all forms of violence that could disrupt the election.

He said the deployment of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from neighbouring states to Ekiti for the election was a measure by INEC to guarantee the success of the poll.

“The step taken by INEC for the success of the Ekiti governorship election is commendable.

“This is because the success of that election will determine the success of the 2015 general elections.”

18 political parties are contesting in the Ekiti governorship election, with candidates of the APC, PDP and LP as major contenders. (NAN)